Washington (CNN) – House Speaker John Boehner told his Republican caucus Wednesday that the House will postpone voting on a massive transportation and energy bill until after the congressional recess scheduled for next week, according to multiple House Republican leadership aides.

The move was a sign that GOP leaders were still struggling to put together the votes to pass the measure that funds highway programs and includes several energy measures, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), and approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

soundoff(33 Responses)

Truth and Nothing But the Truth

that funds highway programs and includes several energy measures, including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), and approval of the Keystone XL pipeline
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About damn time!! ENOUGH of the radical leftists holding this country's energy needs hostage to their insane ideology. This country needs energy now and down the road. Refusing to do this is only hurting this country and sending HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS of dollars overseas.

February 15, 2012 02:12 pm at 2:12 pm |

Fair is Fair

Rudy wrote:

"Better check your history. The price of oil doesn't follow supply/demand curves. It tracks greed and monopolies. Why do you think we had all of the "global oil shortages" in the 1970s? Several reasons come to mind. All of the stuff that you mentioned, but mainly because the US was building the Alaska pipeline, which promised to lower oil prices in the US. "
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Wrong, Rudy. The first shortage was caused by the Arab Oil Embargo – their response to us aiding Israel in the Yom Kippur war. The second was a direct response to the political turmoil with the Shah in Iran. NEITHER had anything to do with the Alaska pipeline.

February 15, 2012 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |

cf

The GOP is struggling to find the votes because most people DON'T WANT wildlife refuges raped and endangered animals killed for the temporary fix of more oil drilling. Most people DON'T WANT the disaster-waiting-to-happen that is the Keystone Pipeline cutting through the country and destroying agriculture, recreation, and wildlife yet having NO affect on the price of oil and NO benefit to our country.

February 15, 2012 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |

Rudy NYC

If you compare US domistic energy policy to the price of a barrel of oil on the open market, you will see a correlation. The more aggressively the US pursues energy independence, the higher the price of oil goes. It doesn't matter if we pursue alternative energy, or to expand domestic production, the net result is the same. The cost of oil goes up.

It happened as the US debated and finally built the Alaska pipeline. It happened to Pres. Carter as he aggressive pursued solar energy and other alternate forms. It happened in 2008 as people called for "Drill, Baby, Drill" after the Saudis cut back production, driving up the global price. It will happen again. In fact, it is happening as we debate this Keystone Pipeline. It will get worse if we start drilling in ANWR. Check it out. It always drives up the cost.

February 15, 2012 02:15 pm at 2:15 pm |

ct

another fail attempt by this do nothing congress...

February 15, 2012 02:19 pm at 2:19 pm |

GROVER NORQUIST IS A ENEMY OF THE STATE

More obstruction. Enough!

February 15, 2012 02:19 pm at 2:19 pm |

Rudy NYC

Truth wroe:

About damn time!! ENOUGH of the radical leftists holding this country's energy needs hostage to their insane ideology. This country needs energy now and down the road.
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That pipeline will only drive up the cost of domestic oil. Right now we buy it at discount from Canada because transportation costs makes their product more expensive. So, they are forced to discount it to make for the increased transportation costs.

That is why the pipeline goes from Canada to the Gulf. The next generation supertankers cannot fit in the Panama Canal, so they must go around South America to get their from the Atlantic, and back again. So, the US gets to buy it at the discounted price. Once you build the pipeline, that will remove the reason for discounting it in the first place.

That means the cost of energy from Canada will go up. We import more from Canada than everyone else combined. The effect will be devasting.

February 15, 2012 02:20 pm at 2:20 pm |

Fair is Fair

Come on, Rudy –

"It happened as the US debated and finally built the Alaska pipeline. It happened to Pres. Carter as he aggressive pursued solar energy and other alternate forms. It happened in 2008 as people called for "Drill, Baby, Drill" after the Saudis cut back production, driving up the global price. It will happen again. In fact, it is happening as we debate this Keystone Pipeline. It will get worse if we start drilling in ANWR. Check it out. It always drives up the cost."
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Complete and TOTAL dishonest propoganda. You should be ashamed.

February 15, 2012 02:24 pm at 2:24 pm |

Rudy NYC

Fair is Fair wrote:

Wrong, Rudy. The first shortage was caused by the Arab Oil Embargo – their response to us aiding Israel in the Yom Kippur war. The second was a direct response to the political turmoil with the Shah in Iran.
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The "shortages" began before 1973. Did you forget about the 6 Day war? You missed most of an entire decade, the 1970s. You also make the false assumption that every OPEC member is an Arab country. We were also trading wheat for oil with the Russians.

February 15, 2012 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |

Taran

@Rudy, the only reason it drives up the cost of oil, is because OPEC does not want the competition, either in the form of more oil production from us or canada, or from alternate forms of energy. They use their production and oil price increases as political leverage to try and kill any sort of serious compeitition. If we could ever outlast them and provide them with serious competition, they would be hurting and they know it.

February 15, 2012 02:26 pm at 2:26 pm |

GI Joe.

Trying to speed up the Keystone pipeline again. Boehner, who's playing games?

When the Governor of Nebrask finishes his study, you'll get your answer.

February 15, 2012 02:30 pm at 2:30 pm |

Larry L

@Truth and Nothing But the Truth

"ENOUGH of the radical leftists holding this country's energy needs hostage to their insane ideology. This country needs energy now and down the road. Refusing to do this is only hurting this country and sending HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS of dollars overseas."
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As usual... you're wrong again. We've got more offshore drilling going on now than we did under the Bush Administration. It's important to note that oil drilled here doesn't necessarily stay here. Oil companies are largely international (BP!) and Oil is a world commodity sold to the highest bidder. As a limited and non-renewable energy source, we're forced to refine lower grade crude and even the very dirty products found in the Canadian tar sands and with the fracking processes used now. We need oil because our economy is so heavily dependent on fossil fuels we'll be unable to transition for many years w/o killing our economy. Still, only hate radio and a very few scientists connected to oil profits consider global climate change a liberal plot – like birth control, evolution, environmental protection and NATO. Failure to transition to renewable fuels will not only cause America to ultimately pay more for energy, it will speed us toward an environmental calamity we may not survive. I know I'm talking about science here and you're a right-winger incapable of understanding complex concepts without an explanation from Dr. Rush Limbaugh... We're trying to make a move to combine both responsible drilling and development of renewable energy sources – an unpopular approach for oil companies and ignorant people.

February 15, 2012 02:32 pm at 2:32 pm |

Jeff Brown in Jersey

Once again, Boner and friends stick it to the middle class. When will you GOP Lemmings realize these people hate you?

February 15, 2012 02:35 pm at 2:35 pm |

Fair is Fair

Rudy Said:

"The "shortages" began before 1973. Did you forget about the 6 Day war? You missed most of an entire decade, the 1970s. You also make the false assumption that every OPEC member is an Arab country. We were also trading wheat for oil with the Russians."
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No way, Rudy. The 6-day war occurred in 1967. The 1973 – 1974 "shortage" was a DIRECT result of our airlift of weapons to Israel when it appeared they were going to lose the Yom Kippur war. Nixon did it to prevent them from going nuclear. The Arabs responded with an embargo.

You're entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts,

February 15, 2012 02:36 pm at 2:36 pm |

NVa Native

Couldn't have been Nixion with the Six Day War – GOPits can't hold a thought for six minutes let alone do something for six days? But wait .....I forgot that was when the Repubs were still Americans.

February 15, 2012 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

Rudy NYC

@Fair – You are in severe denial of the facts. I have not denied that 1973 didn't have an impact, but you are denying that 1967 had an impact. You are denying that construction of the Alaska pipeline, TO COMBAT GLOBAL SHORTAGES, had any impact. You are denying that whenever we take any actions towards improving our own domestic production that it has any impact.

Or did you happen to forget all of these facts? Or do they not fit your world view? Do you realize that blaming our defense of Israel that you are suggesting that we can lower the price of our oil if we let the Arabs overrun Israel?

February 15, 2012 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |

Anonymous

To all the rightwing radicals who believe that increased drilling in the US will reduce prices in the US, it's surprising to see you support nationalizing the oil companies, since that's the only way your unicorns and rainbows fantasies come true.

February 15, 2012 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Independent Voters

Who voted for these NO DO NOTHING CONGRESS these republicans need to be voted out of the office soon.

February 15, 2012 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |

Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Fair... Please stop raining facts on Rudys hallucinagenic parade. He's concocted some bizarre scenarios but this one takes the cake. I think Rudy and Sniffy are vying for the biggest basement liar award.

February 15, 2012 03:01 pm at 3:01 pm |

Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Anonymous - To all the rightwing radicals who believe that increased drilling in the US will reduce prices in the US, it's surprising to see you support nationalizing the oil companies, since that's the only way your unicorns and rainbows fantasies come true.
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Oh clueless one.... Reducing the percentage OPEC sells by increasing OUR output reduces THEIR influence on global supply and thus prices. And OUR sources are LOCAL and UNINTERRUPTABLE by say somebody like Iran, or Obama's buddy Hugo Chavez.

February 15, 2012 03:06 pm at 3:06 pm |

Larry in Houston

@Larry L – Thank You ! @ Anonymous – Thank You ! @ ct – You Mean, "Stop Congress" not a "do nothing" right ?
I mean, they've Stopped working ever since 2010 – If I had employees that did nothing, I would give them time off, or suspend them. But If I had employees ( that I was paying) that "Stopped Work" then I would Fire them.

February 15, 2012 03:08 pm at 3:08 pm |

diridi

These are the nation's dire needs. don't these animals know. May be they are all sold out to Saudi Oil just like before. What a nonsense idiots are these republican thugs to the worst credit of this great big nation. Folks, do not get scared of political thugs that rule us. Drive these forces out of Washington. Nasty idiots of republican party and their sold out hooligans. God bless the USA.

February 15, 2012 03:10 pm at 3:10 pm |

Fair is Fair

@ Rudy –

Yes, I'm telling you without reservation that the Alaska Pipeline had absolutely NOTHING to do with the shocks that occurred in 73-74 and 79. And I am telling you without reservation that 1967 had NOTHING to do with either of the shoks of the 70's. I've read up on it plenty, Rudy. PLENTY. Why don't you take your preconceived notions, put them to the side, and do the same?

February 15, 2012 03:11 pm at 3:11 pm |

Rudy NYC

Truth wrote:

Oh clueless one.... Reducing the percentage OPEC sells by increasing OUR output reduces THEIR influence on global supply and thus prices. And OUR sources are LOCAL and UNINTERRUPTABLE by say somebody like Iran, or Obama's buddy Hugo Chavez.
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The US is estimated to have only 2% of the world's oil supply within its' borders. If we pumped out every drop, we would run out in ten years. Venezuela has actually sold more oil than Saudi Arabia since Obama was elected, so you might have a point. Chavez also provided free heating oil to the poor here in the Northeast, until the Tea Party House put a stop to it.

February 15, 2012 03:14 pm at 3:14 pm |

PJ/TX

Why haven't I heard any discussion regarding the Foreign Trade Zones, which is an area on the Texas Gulf
that allows oil to be refined, exported to international buyers all without paying US taxes? That is exactly what
one company, Valero, is planning to do. My understanding is that Canada does not have enough oil to
fill our pipelines now, they want to diversify and sell to other countries. Therefore, we will get no oil from
the XL pipeline, no taxes, and a lot of potential environmental damage.
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@cf and Larry L you are dead on with your comments. I love your comments!